Steelers release Dri Archer, sign Jacoby Jones

The Steelers announced Thursday they’ve released the former third-round pick after 20 games of ineffective kick returns and little, if any, offensive production.

They signed former Ravens and Chargers receiver and kick returner Jacoby Jones to take his place. Jones was the kick returner for the Ravens in the infamous “Tomlin Two-Step” incident in 2013 when the Steelers coach was fined $100,000 for being on the field of play during Jones’s kick return.

Archer was selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft in part because of his blazing 4.2 speed. In 20 career appearances, Archer has just 17 offensive touches for just over 60 yards. He has not played a down of offense this season for the Steelers.

His selection was made with the compensatory pick the Steelers received in letting Mike Wallace sign in free agency. Needless to say, Archer never sniffed the level of production Wallace has in his career. Archer’s selection stands as a blemish sandwiched between the selections of Ryan Shazier, Stephon Tuitt and Martavis Bryant.

Jones could serve as the team’s kick returner, but it’s unlikely he’ll see any time outside of that. Markus Wheaton was held back in practice this week with an ankle injury, so it’s possible he could serve in a deep reserve role when the Steelers host the Oakland Raiders Sunday.

Jones has nine total return touchdowns in his career — five off kicks, and four off punts. He was noticeably slower in San Diego than he had been in his career, possibly having still been recovering from lingering injuries. The Ravens released Jones last season as a cap-cutting move.

It seemed recent Steelers’ opponents gave Archer more opportunities to return kicks than they did immediately in the season. Archer didn’t exploit many of those opportunities, but did end up 10th in the NFL with a 25.8 yard return average.

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